Health Policy

THE NEW ZEALAND Health Plan Te Pae Waenga is now not expected to be signed off by the health minister until next year, according to Te Whatu Ora director of planning and outcomes Lisa Williams.

The government is funding 50 new senior doctors, and more nurses, to fix critical shortages in rural, mental health, maternity and critical care specialities

Te Whatu Ora considered expanding after-hours pharmacy services to improve accessibility, documents released under the Official Information Act 1982 show

News that the Government had done little legwork on its promise of cancer drug funding comes as no surprise to Auckland medical oncologist George Laking

A 2022 REPORT on access to cancer drugs was never meant to be used to provide a list of medicines that should be funded, Cancer Control Agency Te Aho o Te Kahu chief executive Rami Rahal says.

“The results of the public consultation on the terms of reference for the Royal Commission into COVID-19 Lessons has now been received, with results indicating over 13,000 submissions were made from members of the public,” Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden says.

Two health targets have been re-announced as part of nine new benchmarks for the public service

DURING THE ELECTION, the National Party pledged to fund 13 cancer treatments if elected. But New Zealand Doctor Rata Aotearoa understands at least six have already been, or recommended to be, declined or haven’t even been registered with Pharmac for approval. 

The documents released today by the incoming Coalition Govenment include a list of the ministers inside and outside Cabinet

The minor parties are offering a grab-bag of policies that will affect pharmacy ahead of the election